EPL’S PUT US IN A FIX
LIVID Antonio Conte has slammed the Premier League for undermining Chelsea’s bid to catch Manchester City.
The Stamford Bridge boss leads his team into battle in Baku, Azerbaijan, tonight seeking the win that will put them into the Champions League’s knockout stage.
But Conte is angry at being forced to travel to Liverpool for a Saturday evening kick-off – after making the 5000-mile round trip, arriving back in London at 5am on Thursday.
Conte has accused the league and TV companies of a lack of respect for his bid to bridge the nine-point gap opened up by Pep Guardiola’s all-stars over his team at the top of the table.
Conte said: “It’s very difficult when you ask me if my team are ready to catch Manchester City, if they put us in this type of situation.
“I don’t like excuses but this is the reality. I think it is right to give respect to our job. It’s a long journey. It will be very difficult for us to recover and rest.”
Conte knows it will be hard to progress to the knockouts against Qarabag who have improved since being beaten 6-0 by Chelsea.
And he hinted the scheduling issue is why no English team have won the Champions League since Chelsea’s 2012 success.
Conte added: “To prepare for the game in only one day, it will be very difficult.
“For a long time there hasn’t been an English side in the Final. Why is this?
“Whoever prepares these fixtures has to pay great attention.”